Crew counts on Francis to return to his 2015 form
Caleb Porter remembers the Waylon Francis of 2015 who led all Major League Soccer defenders in assists and was one of the best left backs in the league. He decided then that Francis was a player he’d like to have in Portland.
So when Milton Valenzuela tore a knee ligament that will keep him for the entire 2019 season, Porter was thrilled Crew SC
could obtain someone he sees as a viable replacement in just four days.
“It, for me, was such an ideal fit,” Porter said. “He’s been in this club, he’s been in this league. He fits the profile of what we want.”
The loss of Valenzuela — a player expected to take on a bigger role in his second full season with the Crew — was a major blow to the club, and it forced the new front office to make its first major decision, one that could be key to the team’s success in 2019.
Francis’ production has dipped significantly in the three seasons since the Crew reached the MLS Cup final with him as an integral member of the lineup.
He played almost as many minutes (2,410) in the 2015 season than he has in the 2016, ‘17 and ‘18 seasons combined (2,667), has started in as many games (28) over that span as he did in 2015 and has recorded just six assists in three seasons.
Sometimes it takes a change of scenery for a player to reach potential again. But it was more about why this was the right fit for immediate help. Francis is familiar with the club and doesn’t need to adjust to the general concept of what Porter wants out of his left back.
After playing just 11 games last season with Seattle, Francis should see an immediate boost in playing time.
“It’s a new opportunity, a new challenge for me,” Francis said. “I’m glad to be back.”
Valenzuela is still likely a big part of the Crew’s long-term future under Porter. The coach likes left backs who can play box-tobox as well as defend. For differences in their games, Porter described Valenzuela as being able to combine in the attacking third while Francis is “a little bit more of a crosser.”
There’s a question mark regarding how Valenzuela will respond in 2020 after missing a full year with the injury. Captain Wil Trapp said the injury was particularlyunfortunate given Valenzuela’s bright future.
“You saw him last year, he was fantastic for us,” Trapp said. “He brings a dynamic that few left backs in the league bring.”
For this season, the Crew is betting on Francis because his success, or the general production out of the left back spot, has now become a major factor in whether the Crew can be successful.
“It’s now, for (Francis), getting back in with the group and really just re-assimilating from a soccer perspective because Milton latched onto it so quickly,” Trapp said. “We know him, he knows us, which will make things a little bit quicker.”